Abstract: The invention relates to a securing device for head tube bearings of two-wheel vehicles, e.g. bicycles. The head tube bearing comprises a top and a bottom bearing unit, with the aid of which a tubular shaft of the fork of the two-wheel vehicle can be rotatably connected to a head tube of the frame of the two-wheel vehicle. The inventive securing device is composed of a thrust bearing which can be locked onto the tubular shaft above the top bearing unit and is effectively connected to a mechanism applying an axial pressure to the top bearing unit, henceforth referred to as an axial pressure mechanism. This has the advantage that securing the clearance of the head tube bearing is entirely independent of the handlebar fixture. The thrust bearing is locked in relation to the tubular shaft once the disclosed thrust bearing comprising the axial pressure mechanism has been placed on the tubular shaft and has been slid onto the top bearing unit until reaching the stop.

Abstract: A fastener is configured to affix a first article such as a picket to a second article such as a rail to form a railing or balustrade. The fastener includes a first engaging surface having a maximum diameter configured to engage an interior surface of an opening in the first article and a mating surface configured to mate with the second article. The first engaging surface can have shape selected from cylindrical, ellipsoidal, conical, elliptic conical frustum, pyramidal frustum, and ball and other shapes having cross-sections of rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other regular polygons having at least four sides such that good engagement is obtained and the fastener is hidden from view in the assembled railing.

Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a turbine engine casing. A first casing section is positioned radially outward from a turbine engine. The first casing includes a first flange having an outer end portion, an inner end portion, and a body therebetween. At least a portion of the outer end portion has a partial frusto-conical cross-sectional profile. A second casing section including a second flange is positioned adjacent the first casing section such that a mating surface of the second flange is positioned substantially flush against a first flange mating surface. Each respective mating surface is opposite a respective load-bearing surface. A fastener is inserted through an opening in the first and second flanges to couple casing sections together such that a portion of a load-bearing surface extending over the first flange outer end portion facilitates distributing loading induced therein substantially equally across the load bearing surface.

Abstract: An adjustable height seat post for bicycles that comprises an inner tube slidably contained within an outer tube which supports a bicycle seat. The outer tube clamps into a bicycle frame and contains a spring which acts to force the inner tube upward. The inner tube is allowed longitudinal movement within the fixed outer tube via a locking mechanism that forces ball bearings into pockets or channels on the inner tube. The locking mechanism can be remotely activated with a handlebar mounted lever or manually with a seat post mounted lever.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus (1) that comprises a compression sleeve element (2) established at least partially around portions of a first elongated member (6) that telescopes from a larger elongated member (8) in which it may nest. A relative motion obstruction element (4) may disallow only certain types of motion, e.g., rotational and axial, of the compression sleeve element relative to the elongated members around which it may be at least partially established. As it may be the compression enhancement element (3) —which may be used to generate a retaining compression force element—that prevents perpendicular displacement of the compression sleeve element, deactivation and effective disengagement of the compression enhancement element may allow for a quick removal of the compression sleeve element without requiring that it be slid off an end of either elongated member.

Abstract: A system for connecting a shaft to a joint, and a corresponding method are provided, wherein a shaft journal embodied on the end of the shaft that is to be connected to the joint can be inserted into a recess of a joint connection. The aim of the invention is to be able to pre-assemble and axially align the shaft and the recess in a simple manner. To this end, the shaft journal and the recess are adapted to each other in such a way that the shaft journal can be displaced in the recess in an essentially weak manner in a first section T1 of the insertion path E, and a large amount of force is expended for the displacement of the shaft journal in the recess in a section T2 of the insertion path E.

Abstract: A unitary stackable fence module having end assemblies and span members is provided for forming a perimeter fence having an inwardly inclined profile. A right angle end support has vertical and horizontal members and an angle arm, spaced from and attached to a side edge of the vertical and horizontal members adjacent the span members. The unique arrangement permits a plurality of fence modules to be stacked for transport or storage. Loops formed on the vertical members permit pivotal pinning of fence modules together to form perimeter fences of any polygonal shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the length of a tension tie mounted on a deployable antenna based on a cable network structure includes a cable retainer provided with a retaining hole, a cable being connected to the cable retainer; a retaining case coupled to the outer periphery of the cable retainer and provided with a plurality of retaining holes; and a retainer positioned inside the cable retainer and configured to extend through the retaining hole of the cable retainer and through one of the retaining holes of the retaining case so that the cable retainer and the retaining case are prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insert-molded ball joint which is configured such that rotational frictional torque of a ball stud is kept below the appropriate level, pull-out strength of the ball stud is increased, and play of the ball stud is minimized. The ball stud has a spherical head. The spherical head of the ball stud is rotatably inserted into the ball seat. The housing covers the ball seat and a portion of the spherical head that is exposed from the ball seat. The upper end of the ball seat is disposed higher than the center of the spherical head. The housing includes a head support which covers the spherical head. A ball seat grease groove is formed in the inner surface of the ball seat. Housing grease grooves are formed in the head support in a vertical direction and meet the upper end of the ball seat.

Abstract: The present invention provides four essentially equal and (generally) evenly spaced constraints on the ball. It is the equivalent of a ball and socket joint in which the “socket” is composed of four small constraining pads of equal size and equally spaced around the surface of the ball or sphere. If a sphere is constrained by four equidistant points, each point will exert the same amount of force on the sphere. If additional pressure is applied to one point, the pressure exerted by the other points will rise to match this increased pressure. The effect of constraining a smooth ball by four equidistant points is to create the equivalent of a ball and socket joint in which the force required to rotate the ball at a particular rate is about the same in any direction. The ball is constrained by four equidistant points such that the relative movement between the ball and housing is smooth and predictable in any direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assembling together separate components, such as a first substantially flat sheet metal component to a second substantially flat sheet metal component, in substantially perpendicular relationship. A first latch component body may have an elongated displaceable latch member provided on a first edge of the first latch component body that is configured to be received and latchably retained within a latch reception opening of a second latch component body that is of complementary shape and dimensions to receive the displaceable latch member.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism for fastening a detachable electronic device onto a DIN rail includes a frame, a first slab member and a first resilient element. The frame includes a base, a first extension part and a second extension part. The first extension part and the second extension part are arranged at bilateral sides of the base. A first perforation is formed between the first extension part and the base. The first slab member is movable along the bottom surface of the first extension part and has an end penetrating through the first perforation to be disposed over the base. The first resilient element is coupled to the first slab member and exerts a clamping force for claming a first extending edge of the DIN rail between the first slab member and the base.

Abstract: A structure for joining structural members is disclosed. The structure joins an end of a first member to a side of a second member by a coupling insert. The coupling insert has a web coupling portion that is received by the end of the first member and a tenon portion that is received by a transverse opening in the side of the second member. The web coupling portion and the tenon portion are connected by a base plate.

Abstract: A ball joint for a model vehicle suspension is provided, comprising a support member, at least a portion of the support member forming a spherically-shaped surface, a fastener for securing the support member to a suspension member, a housing containing at least a portion of the support member and having an opening for accessing at least a portion of the support member, a seal covering the housing opening, the seal having a self-healing port, the self-healing port of the seal having a first position allowing introduction of material through the seal and a second position substantially preventing the passage of debris into the housing, the seal being in the first position in response to a force applied normal to at least a portion of the surface of the self-healing port and the seal being in the second position in response to the substantial absence of a force applied normal to the surface of the self-healing port.

Abstract: An exemplary mechanical joint system (100) includes a joint (10), an arm (20), a plurality of teeth (211), and an engaging member (3). The arm is rotatable relative to the joint. A pivot hole (210) is defined in the arm. The teeth are formed on an inner surface adjacent to an end of the pivot hole. The engaging member is fixed to the joint. The engaging member includes a prong (323) for engaging with the teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotationally symmetrical fastening element with an axially centralized rounded tip for a friction-welded joint with a flat component. The tip is adjoined by a conical lateral surface, the conical lateral surface transitioning into a flute for receiving a material melted during friction-welding, and by a shoulder, wherein the shoulder surrounds the flute, is axially recessed in relation to the tip and transitions into the friction-welded joint.

Abstract: A coupling structure of a telescopic rod includes an inner tube, an outer tuber, and a positioning device. The positioning device includes a rotatable lid, a resilient sleeve, a metallic ring, and a C-shaped sleeve. The C-shaped sleeve has a plurality of mini-ribs formed on an inner wall thereof. The mini-ribs are attached to the inner tube for providing a non-slip effect. The mini-ribs have less resistance with respect to the inner tube to provide a fine adjustment when the inner tube is extended or retracted with respect to the outer tube. An enlarged portion formed at a distal end of the inner tube is adapted to keep a proper gap between the inner tube and the outer tube for enhancing the steadiness of the telescopic rod. The rotatable lid is turned clockwise or counterclockwise for controlling the resilient sleeve, the metallic ring and the C-shaped sleeve to switch the inner tube in an adjustable state or in a fixed state.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism of a shaft and a hub, wherein a shaft tooth part having a plurality of linear spline teeth is formed at the end part of the shaft and a hub tooth part having a plurality of linear spline teeth fitted to the end part of the shaft is formed in the inner peripheral surface of a shaft hole in the hub. A first step part is formed by swelling the shaft tooth part toward the hub tooth part from a point (P1) horizontally moved from the center point (P0) of the shaft tooth part to a shaft shank side. On the ridge part side of the hub tooth part, a point is set at a position offset from the point (P1) horizontally to the opposite side of the shaft shank, and a second step part increased in a diameter from the point (P2) in the radial outer direction is formed.

Abstract: An elongated clamp for securing a flexible fabric like shroud to a scaffold support member including to opposed jaws movable between an open and closed position by a pin and wedge combination. The flexible shroud is held to the support member by the clamp gripping force. Multiple clamps securable at different points along the various standard support members provide positive securement of the shroud.

Abstract: A panel fastening system, especially floor panels, whose narrow sides are fitted with retaining profiles. The retaining profile of a front narrow side, the retaining profile of the opposite back narrow side, the retaining profile of a left narrow side and the retaining profile of the opposite right narrow side of a panel match each other in such a way that similar panels can be fixed to one another. The mutually matching retaining profiles have complementary hook elements that can be hooked into one another and the hook elements have retaining surfaces which hold the panels against each other when the panels are mounted in such a way that a gap-free surface is obtained.